15 Best Blushes for 2023

Ask anyone about their makeup, and chances are they’ll talk about their foundation and mascara first and foremost. And while those components are certainly important, they’re really just the canvas. If you think about it, blush is the real key to making your face picture-perfect. 

Whether it’s peachy, rosy, mauve, or berry, the best blushes liven up dull skin, blend easily, and stay put, so you end the day with the same gorgeous flush of color that you started with. We’ve rounded up a list of the best makeup blushes to help you nail that finishing touch.

Best blushes overview:

• Best overall: NARS Orgasm
• Best cream: Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush
• Best for sensitive skin: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Powder Blush
• Best longwear: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
• Best powder: Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic
• Best drugstore: Maybelline New York Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush
• Best splurge: Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush
• Best shimmer: Milani Baked Blush
• Best liquid: Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand
• Best nourishing: Pixi On-the-Glow Blush
• Best stick: Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm
• Best multitasker: Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush
• Best for fair skin: Bobbi Brown Blush in Pretty Pink
• Best for medium skin: Mented Cosmetics Blush in Peach for the Stars
• Best for dark skin: Dior Rouge Blush in Poison Matte

How we chose the best makeup blushes

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including formulas, finishes, and more, to create a short list of the top makeup blushers. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best blush for each category.

Our picks for the best blush

Without a doubt, NARS’ Orgasm blush, a fan favorite, hits our list as the best blush overall. This iconic blush, formulated with superfine micronized powder, delivers a naturally flushed effect that looks good on every skin tone. Buildable and blendable, this blush can take your look from subtle to bold with an added swipe or two.

Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 14 | Coverage: Buildable

Of course, the queen of makeup will make any makeup “best list” — this time, it’s for the best cream blush. Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush is an ultra-lightweight blush that delivers a natural flush of color with a radiant, seamless finish. While this blush is sheer, it’s packed with pigment, so ultimately, you get buildable coverage that stays put without streaking or smudging.

Finish: Radiant | Shades: 7 | Coverage: Buildable

Nothing beats makeup that’s kind to your skin, and Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Powder Blush checks that box quite nicely. 

While the pigmented blush gives your skin a healthy, natural glow, it’s formulated with skin-soothing ingredients like vitamin C, which fights free radicals, and squalane to lock in moisture. Moreover, this buildable powder blush is formulated with an advanced gel system that provides an easy application and soft feel.

Finish: Natural | Shades: 2 | Coverage: Buildable

When talking about anything in your makeup bag, longevity matters — otherwise, you’re just wasting time and money. With that in mind, our pick for the best longwear blush is Tarte’s Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush. 

This silky soft powder glides in seamlessly, offering a fresh flush of color that blends effortlessly. Plus, it’s formulated with good-for-your-skin ingredients like Amazonian clay, vitamin E, and soothing mineral pigments.

Finish: Matte | Shades: 13 | Coverage: Buildable

Charlotte Tilbury does it again with her Cheek to Chic blush, our pick for the best powder blush. Although a powder, it has a creamy texture that’s totally buildable so that you can go bold — or not. Plus, this blush is formulated with Light Flex Technology that captures and reflects light.

It’s worth noting that while the Cheek to Chic blush looks richly pigmented, reviewers noted a poor color payoff and little staying power.

Finish: Radiant | Shades: 9 | Coverage: Buildable

Thanks to Maybelline, you don’t have to dig too deep (into your wallet) to rock a good blush. At just under $8, its Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush is a drugstore blush that checks many boxes. This blush is oil-free, water-based, and weightless on your skin. And with six shades to choose from, there’s something here for every skin tone.

We should note that while the gel-cream formula glides on easily and promises a dewy finish, some reviewers noted a poor color payoff. So keep in mind that if you’re doubling down to get the color you want, this budget option may not be the answer.

Finish: Satin | Shades: 6 | Coverage: Buildable

Originally launched in 1980 with only seven shades to its name, Chanel’s Joues Contraste Powder Blush has stood the test of time. Forty years later, now with 15 shades in its repertoire, this blush has swiped its way to icon status. And for good reason, this silky smooth formula glides on easily and offers buildable coverage.

Whether you opt for the subtle pink flush Rose Pétale or medium-dark red Rouge Profond, Chanel’s Joues Contraste will help you go bold for a girl’s night out or keep it natural for tomorrow’s Zoom call. If you’re thinking about this splurge, bear in mind that it has a rosy fragrance, which could be a dealbreaker for some.

Finish: Matte | Shades: 15 | Coverage: Buildable

If shimmery blush is where it’s at for you, Milani’s Baked Blush should top your short list. Sunbaked on Italian terra cotta tiles, this blush is silky, endlessly blendable, and richly pigmented. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and available in a range of colors, from light petal pink to shimmery warm bronze, so there’s something here for everyone.

Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 8 | Coverage: Buildable

Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Light Wand is a liquid makeup blusher that beautifully plays with the light to boost your skin’s luminosity for a high-gloss finish. This blush is a combination of sensorial oil, silica, and brightening pigments, all of which work in concert to absorb oil, impart a silky feel, and apply impeccable color.

If you’re not paying any mind to the high price tag of the Beauty Light Wand and happen to catch it in stock, you should probably act fast because it usually sells out quickly.

Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 6 | Coverage: Buildable

If you’re looking for makeup that’s good for your skin, Pixi’s On-the-Glow Blush is packed with skin-soothing aloe, antioxidant-rich ginseng, and anti-inflammatory green tea. This hydrating blush, available in three shades that complement most skin tones, promises one sweep color payoff. Those looking to streamline their makeup routines will be happy to know that you can use it on your lips, too.

Finish: Satin | Shades: 3 | Coverage: Buildable

Blush doesn’t usually make it into most makeup bags, but Clinique’s Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm is pretty travel-friendly, so it can go where you go. This creamy formula is oil-free, buildable, and dermatologist-tested, so it’s kind to your skin. 

It might be a bit pricey, but if you’re looking for a mess-free way to add a natural flush of color to your skin, the Chubby Stick delivers — it swivels up, no sharpening required. We’ll add here that it’s probably a good thing that the Chubby Stick is portable, as some users have noted that while there’s a good color payoff, it doesn’t last.

Finish: Satin | Shades: 4 | Coverage: Buildable

Tower 28 Beauty’s BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush is a multitasking tinted balm that you can use anytime, anywhere to hit your lips and cheeks with a pop of color. This silicone-free, fragrance-free blush offers buildable color with a radiant finish.

Plus, it’s formulated with skin-soothing ingredients like green tea and aloe vera extracts to hydrate, soothe, and calm your skin. While users have noted that this blush imparts a natural glow and vibrant color, many have also said that the color just doesn’t last.

Finish: Radiant | Shades: 7 | Coverage: Buildable

Formulated to replicate a natural flush, Bobbi Brown’s Blush in Pretty Pink is our pick as the best blush for fair skin. This silky powder blush glides on smoothly and imparts a long-lasting matte finish.

Reading through reviews, we find plenty of users who commented on how delightfully pigmented it is. Many have confirmed that it does, in fact, have some pretty good staying power, so the price point could be considered a good investment, right?

Finish: Matte | Shades: 11 | Coverage: Pigmented

Mented’s Blush in Peach for the Stars hits our list as one of the best blushes for medium skin tones. This radiant, shimmery peach is blendable, buildable, and perfect for a natural-looking flush.

The long-wearing blush is also lightweight and formulated with vitamin E to nourish your skin. On the flip side, we’ll add that while Mented is known for its richly pigmented makeup, some reviewers indicated that the color payoff on this one is underwhelming.

Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 4 | Coverage: Pigmented

For darker skin tones, Dior’s Rouge Blush in Poison Matte is a perfect way to add an intense pop of color to your cheeks. Its ultra-pigmented formula allows you to create any look, from a subtle flush to a bold statement. This blush offers a radiant finish and long-lasting color, plus it’s buildable, so it’s endlessly customizable.

Finish: Matte/satin | Shades: 1 matte, 3 stain | Coverage: Buildable

Don’t forget to tszuj 

When used correctly, blushes can add gorgeous pops of color to tszuj your look. The best blushes are the ones that meet your skincare needs and work with your specific coloring. They’re blendable, buildable, and, if you’re lucky, they work with your budget. If blushes are new to you, think about starting with a universal fan favorite like NARS’ Orgasm, our pick as the best blush overall. 

How to pick the right makeup blusher for you

It should come as no surprise that makeup is highly personalized. Depending on skin tones, the best blushes for your gal pals may not work well on you. When shopping for makeup blushers, keep skin tone, wear length, coverage, and finish top of mind.

Skin tone

Your skin tone plays a big part in determining the best blush for you. Typically, fair complexions do best with flushes of pink, light peach, or soft berry shades. (Hint: If you’re fair-skinned, try to match the inside color of your lips.) Peaches, apricots, and rosy pinks look great on medium skin tones, and dark skin tones can go deeper and bolder with brick reds, deep berries, and plums. If you’re not sure what to pick, peach is a universally flattering blush color.

Wear length

When talking about the items in our makeup bag, longevity matters. This is particularly true for blush, as makeup blushers don’t typically make it into said makeup bag.

So when you’re shopping for blush, beyond the color choices and formulations, you’ll want to pay attention to the wear length. For the most part, powder blushes tend to last longer than creams and liquids. It’s probably best to check the reviews to see what users say about real-world performance, though.

Coverage and finish

Blushes are typically available in a variety of coverage levels and finishes. The best blush gives you the coverage you want, whether you’re looking for a natural flush or bold pop of color. Beyond coverage, check the finish before clicking “add to cart.” We’re guessing you won’t want a shimmery blush at a business meeting, and matte finishes might be a bit too pedestrian for date night. 

FAQ

What’s the most attractive blush color? 

The most attractive blush color is the one that looks best with your skin tone. And while there is no singular answer to the most attractive blush color, peach blushes are universally flattering. 

Which blush is best for a natural look?

The best blush for a natural look is the one that most closely matches your skin’s natural flush. 

What kind of blush lasts all day?

Typically lasting longer than creams or liquids, powder blushes are the best option for all-day wear.